diff --git a/runtime/reflex.js b/runtime/reflex.js
index e386615..b8c4c39 100644
--- a/runtime/reflex.js
+++ b/runtime/reflex.js
@@ -540,16 +540,29 @@ function curriculumReflex(ctx) {
 		return { action: "dispatched", kind: "curriculum-wander", label: "wander" };
 	}
 
-	// Pick what to dispatch. Order: manifesto > storyline > curriculum.
-	// Manifesto is highest because L0 alive emergencies (lava, low-HP +
-	// hostile) must override any narrative aspiration. Storyline beats
-	// curriculum because it expresses a concrete operational subgoal,
-	// not just "next milestone".
-	let skillId = manifestoSkillId ?? storySkillId ?? plan.skillId;
-	let skillSource = manifestoSkillId
-		? `manifesto:${activeNeed.need.id}`
-		: storySkillId ? `storyline:${storyStep.step.id}`
-		: "curriculum";
+	// Pick what to dispatch. Order:
+	//   1. manifesto L0 (alive emergencies: low HP near hostile, lava
+	//      under foot, food=0) — absolute priority; do NOT let
+	//      storyline overrule a "you're dying" signal.
+	//   2. storyline — concrete narrative subgoal ("collect 8 logs",
+	//      "craft wooden pickaxe"). Beats manifesto L1+ because the
+	//      ladder needs operational direction, not just "you need food
+	//      → dispatch acquire-food forever".
+	//   3. manifesto L1+ — fallback when storyline has no concrete
+	//      pursue (e.g. armor levels with pursue=null).
+	//   4. curriculum plan — legacy fallback.
+	const manifestoEmergency = activeNeed?.need?.level === 0;
+	let skillId, skillSource;
+	if (manifestoEmergency) {
+		skillId = manifestoSkillId ?? storySkillId ?? plan.skillId;
+		skillSource = `manifesto:${activeNeed.need.id}`;
+	} else if (storySkillId) {
+		skillId = storySkillId;
+		skillSource = `storyline:${storyStep.step.id}`;
+	} else {
+		skillId = manifestoSkillId ?? plan.skillId;
+		skillSource = manifestoSkillId ? `manifesto:${activeNeed.need.id}` : "curriculum";
+	}
 
 	// v0.3.0 fast-advisor: if a fresh recommendation is sitting on ctx
 	// (the result of a previous tick's async advise() call), use it.
diff --git a/runtime/reflex.test.js b/runtime/reflex.test.js
index 2fb8838..321cc65 100644
--- a/runtime/reflex.test.js
+++ b/runtime/reflex.test.js
@@ -242,9 +242,10 @@ test("curriculum dispatches suggested skill by id", () => {
 	assert.ok(typeof dispatches[0].opts.onComplete === "function");
 });
 
-test("manifesto: hungry bot with no food drives survive.acquire-food (overrides curriculum plan)", () => {
+test("manifesto: hungry bot with no food drives survive.acquire-food (manifesto fallback when storyline disabled)", () => {
 	const { ctx, dispatches } = makeCtx({
 		disableManifesto: false,
+		disableStoryline: true,
 		snapshot: {
 			connected: true,
 			health: 20,
@@ -264,6 +265,62 @@ test("manifesto: hungry bot with no food drives survive.acquire-food (overrides
 	assert.equal(ctx.activeNeed?.need?.id, "food");
 });
 
+test("L0 manifesto emergency: defend/modes layer catches the threat BEFORE curriculum", () => {
+	// HP=4 + creeper@3m fires `modes` (self_preservation) or defendReflex
+	// before curriculum even runs — which is the right outcome: alive
+	// emergencies don't reach the storyline/manifesto branch at all.
+	const { ctx, dispatches } = makeCtx({
+		disableManifesto: false,
+		disableStoryline: false,
+		bot: { entities: { z1: { name: "creeper", height: 1.7, position: { x: 3, y: 64, z: 0, distanceTo: () => 3 } } }, entity: { position: { x: 0, y: 64, z: 0 } } },
+		snapshot: {
+			connected: true,
+			health: 4,
+			food: 12,
+			hasFood: false,
+			inventory: { oak_log: 10 },
+			equipment: {},
+			nearbyBlocks: { logs: 4 },
+			hazards: { footBlock: "grass_block", belowBlock: "dirt", headBlock: "air" },
+			closestHostile: { name: "creeper", distance: 3 },
+			threats: [{ name: "creeper", distance: 3, position: { x: 3, y: 64, z: 0 } }],
+			isDay: true,
+			curriculum: { plan: { skillId: "gather.logs" } },
+		},
+	});
+	const out = runTick(ctx);
+	assert.notEqual(out?.kind, "curriculum-skill", "an upstream reflex caught the emergency before curriculum");
+});
+
+test("storyline beats manifesto L1+ when both have suggestions", () => {
+	// Snapshot: well-fed (food=20 + 8 bread → manifesto L1 satisfied, L2
+	// tools_wood unmet) AND storyline orient_self complete (HP=20, blocks
+	// visible). Storyline should drive a wood-tier crafting step, not
+	// manifesto's gather.logs (which would also be valid but less concrete).
+	const { ctx, dispatches } = makeCtx({
+		disableManifesto: false,
+		disableStoryline: false,
+		snapshot: {
+			connected: true,
+			health: 20,
+			food: 20,
+			hasFood: true,
+			inventory: { bread: 8, oak_log: 10 }, // logs done, no planks
+			equipment: {},
+			nearbyBlocks: { logs: 3 },
+			hazards: { footBlock: "grass_block", belowBlock: "dirt", headBlock: "air" },
+			isDay: true,
+			_sessionMs: 60_000,
+			curriculum: { plan: { skillId: "explore.far" } },
+		},
+	});
+	const out = runTick(ctx);
+	assert.equal(out.reflex, "curriculum");
+	// Storyline step crafting_basics suggests craft.planks (10 logs, no planks yet).
+	assert.equal(dispatches[0].label, "craft.planks");
+	assert.equal(ctx.storyStep?.step?.id, "crafting_basics");
+});
+
 test("manifesto: well-fed bot with all wood tools defers to curriculum plan", () => {
 	const { ctx, dispatches } = makeCtx({
 		disableManifesto: false,